Managing Your Time Is Easier Than You Think
If you want to be a better performer in school or in the office, you’ve got to be excellent at budgeting your time. The most effective way to do this is by learning classic time management techniques that have been proven effective for short and long term use.
Make a To Do List
If you have multiple roles or tasks to work on, making a To Do list is necessary. Writing a list is work for some people so they do away with it as much as they can, relying on their crappy memory to do the reminder alerts. However, this system usually does not get the job done. Before you start your day or at night before you sleep, list down the things you have or want to do the following day so you could have an overview of how your day would be like. Allot time for each item making sure the most important ones get the best arrangements. As you go through your list, cross out the ones you have already finished and happily move on to the next until you cross out everything on it for the day. You can write it on paper or use a software if you are the techie type.
Develop a Routine
One way to overcome the habit of being disorganized is by developing a routine. Do you often rush to your first morning class or come in late for work? The remedy is to train yourself to a morning regimen that will soon become your morning routine. Start by trying to sleep earlier and waking up earlier so you can better prepare for your class or work. When you acquire a habit, you will find it less stressful to show up early or on time and even enjoy breakfast every morning that God gives you.
Make Allowance for Distractions
As much as we’d want life to go as we planned it, disruptions are unavoidable. You see, good time management doesn’t just include all the things you expect to happen or accomplish. Good time management means you have to be prepared to deal with unexpected events—things that may ruin your plans or change it completely. Learn to embrace distractions for they are a testament that you still have a life, but know also when distractions are essential and when they aren’t worth your time and attention.
Prioritize
Enumerating the tasks that you have to accomplish for the day is not enough. You have to know which ones need the most attention and those that can be saved for later. After determining items that rank higher on your priority list, start working on them. If you truly want to make the most out of your To Do list, don’t major on the minor. Work on the most important ones first, preferably when your energy and mind is at its peak then proceed on the less important ones when you’re done.
Learn to Say No
Even if you are dying to impress your boss or colleagues, having a ready nod for all their favors and requests can be suicide. If you want to impress and show everyone that you are capable of performing, don’t always say yes. Learn to say ‘no’. Saying no when necessary will give them the hint that you place high regard on how you spend your time and that you know your priorities.
If you keep saying yes, chances are they will come to you even for the most trivial of things. Being firm and setting boundaries by saying no lets you manage your time and energy sensibly.
With practice and motivation, you will indeed be better at beating deadlines, preparing for reports and presentations, and perform better as a student or professional. If you are overwhelmed and you think you might need to concentrate on mastering one time management technique at a time, feel free to do so. Learning this skill should not be a burden but something you should enjoy, too.
